Umbrella handle carrying strap assembly

ABSTRACT

An umbrella handle having a handle gripping portion and a snaplock cover, and a flexible carrying strap connected to the handle underneath the cover and extending therefrom.

United States Patent l 13,580,262

[72] Inventor Heinz Weber [50] Field of Search 135/20, 25, Hilden, Germany 26, 33, 44, 46, 46 (M), 47 (M), 47;16/1l0, 114, [21] Appl. No. 820,603 1 125; 224/5.l l, 50, 58; 74/(lnquired); [22] Filed Apr. 30, '1969 ISO/(inquired) [45] Patented May 25, 1971 [73] Assignee Telesco Bropbey Limited [56] Referelwes Cited Montreal, Quebec, Canada UNITED STATES PATENTS Priority y 31, 1968 1,380,213 5/1921 Kamenetsky 135/46M Germany 1,707,910 4/1929 Haupt 135/44X 1 17 1,762,869 6/1930 Kratochwill 135/47 2,150,971 3/1939 Heilmann et al.. l35/44X 2,684,682 7/1954 Hudes et al. 135/47 Primary Examiner--Peter M. Caun s41 UMBRELLA HANDLE CARRYING STRAP Swabey ASSEMBLY 7 claims 20 Drawmg Figs ABSTRACT: An umbrella handle having a handle gripping [52] US. Cl 135/20, portion and a snap-lock cover, and a flexible carrying strap 135/44 connected to the handle underneath the cover and extending [51] Int. ('31 A45b 11/00 therefrom.

Patented May 25, 1971 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR I Patented May 25, 1971 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 70

H612 INVENTOR flex/72 W15" 55/? xfffoxwey Patented May 25, 1971 3,580,262

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Hemz WEBER QZMJW Arm/way Patented May 25, 1971 3,580,262

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR fle/nz WEE/FA azwfwy A/ra r eg/ UMBRELLA HANDLE CARRYING STRAP ASSEMBLY UMBRELLA HANDLE CARRYING STRAP ASSEMBLY Field of Invention I, Background of Invention The present invention relates to a handle for an umbrella and particularly to a handle which is provided with a carrying strap.

2. Description of Prior Art The previously known means of securing carrying straps to an umbrella handle involve the utilization of a ring and screwbolt arrangement fitted into a correspondingly threaded hole in the side surface of the handle. This type of threaded connection is unsatisfactory, as in the course of usage it becomes loose and finally it may result in the loss of thecarrying strap. Quite frequently, this is brought about by the particular behavior of the umbrella user who, after unconsciously playing with the screw, forgets to tighten it again. Furthermore, the bolt head and ring arrangement constitutes a disadvantage with respect to the stowing of the umbrella in the sheath.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome the foregoing disadvantages by providing means for securing the carrying strap to a handle of the umbrella by means of an advantagcous and simple construction. It is also an aim of the present invention to provide greater accessibility to sundry components of the handle.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A construction in accordance with the present invention includes a handle for an umbrella comprising means for receiving an umbrella stick, a handle gripping portion, a cover portion adapted to be connected to the handle gripping portion, a flexible carrying strap, said cover portion and said handle gripping portion defining a cavity, means in said cavity for attaching said carrying strap, wherein the connection of said carrying strap to said handle is within the confines of the handle.

Accordingly, a more appropriate, more simple and more sturdy construction is provided for connecting the carrying strap, wherein the carrying strap connection is completely hidden from view. Furthermore, by removing the cover, access is provided to the interior of the handle in the event of any necessary repairs. The handle including the cover present the appearance of an integral closed unit. Appropriate utilization of a selected material which has inherent resiliency presents possibilities for very simple designs, therefore, no particular connecting means are required either for the cover or for the carrying strap, which considerably simplifies the assembly characteristics of the umbrella handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above, and other advantages of the present invention will be made clear from the following description taken in connection with the annexed drawings in which various preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example, wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a first embodiment. of a stowed flat umbrella in a carrying sheath showing the carrying strap;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of thehandle and the end of the umbrella shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is the same front elevation as FIG. 2, partly in cross section, showing a detail of the umbrella and handle;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the handle with the cover removed;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the handle;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross section of the handle showing the connection arrangement of the stick;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the handle shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a handle with carrying strap according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view ofthe handle with cover;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the handle, partly in cross section;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation partly in cross section showing a third embodiment of a handle with carrying strap;

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view ofthe handle shown in FIG. 11 with the cover removed;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the handle shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation of a round umbrella handle partly in cross section with a carrying strap according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 15 shows the same handle in another elevation;

FIG. 16 is a front elevation partly in section of the handle and strap according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation of the handle shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a front elevation of yet another embodiment of the handle;

FIG. I9 is a perspective view representing the umbrella with handle according to the first embodiment, in an erected condition; and

FIG. 20 is an exploded cross section of yet another embodiment of the handle.

The majority of the embodiments shown in the present application are directed to what is known as the fiat umbrella as is described in copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 717,523, filed Apr. 1, I968, Paul Kraft. Generally, the flat umbrella is circular when erected in a condition as shown in FIG. 19 and has a flat cross section when collapsed and stowed as is shown in FIG. I. In the description which follows, all of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 12 and FIG. 20 refer to the flat umbrella. The embodiments of FIGS. 14 through 18 refer to what is known generally as the conventional telescopic umbrella.

The umbrella includes stick I. This consists of three telescopic members 2, 3 and 4, which slide into each other. In the extended position, these are secured by spring lock 5. Telescopic member 2 has the largest diameter. Into this slides telescopic member 3 which has a correspondingly smaller diame ter. Telescopic member 4 is constructed for preference as a short extension tube and slides into telescopic member 3, and has the smallest diameter.

At one end of stick 1 is fitted crown 6. In the so-called flat umbrellas, this has a rectangular cross section. Dome ribs 9 are pivotally joined to diametrically opposed narrow lateral extensions 7 and 8. All the dome ribs 9 are of the same length. In the expanded position of the umbrella, dome ribs 9 are supported by struts 10. These supporting struts 10 are pivotally connected with dome ribs 9 at pivotal points 11. The ends of supporting struts I0 toward the stick are pivoted to runner 12. The shape of runner 12 is appropriately adapted to the flat shape of the umbrella and corresponds to crown 6 and is pro vided with a guiding sleeve 12' which is fitted with runner lock lever 13.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 7, the guiding sleeve 12' of runner I2 is provided with diametrically opposed lateral extensions 14 and 15 which extend beyond the overall flat cross section and which provide support means for supporting struts 10. In the longitudinally collapsed condition, thus guiding sleeve 12' enters into a central recess 16 which is provided in handle 17 which in turn is secured to stick 1.

Handle 17 is provided with carrying strap 18. The end sections 18' of the carrying strap 18 are attached in the cavities defined in the handle, which in turn is covered by means of a trough-shaped cover member 19.

Cover member 19 is provided with two slots 20 (FIG. 3) for passing the end sections 18' of the carrying strap. Studs 21, are positioned within the cavity of the handle at right angles to the plane of the cover member 19.

The end sections 18' of the carrying straps 18 each have apertures and are inserted over the respective studs 21. The ends 18' of the carrying strap 18 are secured to the studs by means of split-ring washers 22 as shown in FIG. 3. These split rings 22 are positioned at an angle to the axis of the stud 21 so that their outside edges support the corresponding angular edges of carrying strap end section 18' in the vicinity of the slots 20, in order to ensure that covering member 19 is not affected by any forces which originate from the carrying straps.

Studs 21 are constructed of the same material as the handle. Each stud 21 extends from the base of respective annular recesses 34 and extends through the so-formed cavity.

The handle 17 also includes lateral extensions corresponding to the lateral extensions of the runners and the crown 6. On these lateral extensions are provided generally laterally extending shoulders 30 and stepped from the shoulders 30 are axially extending lip members 26.

In the center of the handle, stick 1, i.e., its short extension tube 4 is connected to the handle by means ofa pin 27. Cover member 19 also hides this connection.

Cover member 19 which is preferably ofa suitable plastic is secured upon the handle 17 by means of a snap lock by virtue of its inherent resiliency. It is provided with a peripheral rim 28 and inwardly extending projections 29. The edge 19' of the cover plate snaps over lip member 26 and against shoulder 30 of the handle 17.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 8 to shows a similar handle 18, but with a different type of carrying strap connection. Studs 31 are provided with external threads. Carrying strap 18 is provided with an aperture and thereby anchored over the studs 31 by means of nuts 32. Screwnuts 32 are provided with groove 33 for the appropriate application of a screwdriver. All the other technical characteristics of the handle correspond to those of the foregoing embodiment, therefore, identical reference numbers are used. Naturally, screws engaging threaded recesses in the handle could also be used.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 11 to 13 shows another variation of a flat umbrella handle with carrying strap. Carrying strap end 18 passes through openings 34 which are positioned laterally and at each end of the lateral extensions of handle 17. Recesses 35 are also provided on the end of the lateral extensions adjacent the openings 34. The recesses 35 are somewhat aligned with the slots in the cover member 19. The ends 18' of the carrying strap 18, therefore. pass through the slot 20, recess 35, opening 34 and over the stud 21. A split-ring washer 22, similar to that shown in FIG. 4 is used to secure the end 18' of the carrying strap.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 through 18 shows a round umbrella which has a handle 36, the means for anchoring the carrying strap 37 may be also hidden by a cover member 38 defining a cavity 39 with the handle 36. In this instance, the stick 1 provides the anchorage point, thus the stick 1 penetrates through the body of the handle and its end which penetrates into cavity 39 is flattened as shown in FIG. 15 to accommodate the ends 37 of the carrying strap 37. A hollow rivet 40 serves to secure carrying straps 37 to the stick. The carrying strap 37 projects in the axial direction of the stick and passes through slot 41 in cover member 38. This arrangement ensures that cover member 38 remains free from any stresses imposed upon the handle. The securing arrangement of the cover plate itself is provided by either a continuous or an interrupted annular rib 42 which interacts with an annular continuous or interrupted groove 43 arranged upon the body of the handle.

According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the carrying strap 37 is arranged radially to the axis of the end of the handle. In this embodiment, the handle body is provided with a slot 45 for passing the carrying strap ends 37 which are laid upon each other. These are anchored within cavity 39 by a threaded pin 46 and secured by means of screwnut 46'. Between nut 46' and the end sections of the carrying straps is located washer 46". Screw tap 46 forms a part of insert 47 which is located within the free end of the stick. Securing pin 48 is provided to fasten the handle upon the stick.

The embodiment according to FIG. 18 relates to the radial arrangement of the carrying straps wherein a centrally located snap lock is provided between the handle and cover member 48. Cover member 48 is provided with a locking projection 49, a annular groove 51 is defined near the end of the projection 49 and mates with an annular rib 50 in the cylindrical wall 52 which is arranged centrally of the body of the handle. To facilitate the snap-locking arrangement, the free end of the projection is given a convex design.

A locking screw 53 secures the carrying strap end sections 37' upon the body of the handle.

The collapsed umbrella may be fitted into an appropriate carrying case according to its either flat or round shape. In the present instance, only carrying case 51 is shown (FIG. 1), this being suitable for a flat umbrella. The insertion opening of the carrying case can be closed by means of flap 55 provided with a press button, which in turn interacts with a corresponding press-button receiver arranged upon the body of the carrying case.

The embodiment according to FIG. 20 relates to a further simplification of the handle design shown in FIGS. 3 to 11. Unlike the foregoing embodiments, in this instance neither spring clips nor nuts or bolts are being used for attaching of carrying strap 18. Instead, the strap ends are secured by female snap-lock arrangements 57 which are integral with cover member 19 and which mate with corresponding male snap-lock projections 58 integral with the handle body in such a manner that the cover member 19 which serves to hide the handle-anchoring arrangement will simultaneously provide the anchorage for the ends of the carrying strap 18 as well. A further snap-lock arrangement is provided by snap-lock projection 59 around the end of the stick 1 which in turn interacts with snap-lock receiver 60 upon cover member 19, whereby the cover member may be locked into position. Snap-lock arrangement 57 and 60 may be used either alone or in connection with a further snap connection 28, 29.

In the preferred embodiments relating to the flat umbrella, the carrying strap 18 is shown projecting from the slots 20 almost at the ends of the lateral extensions of the handle 17. The slots also act as guides in order to retain the flexible carrying strap in an open loop such as shown in FIG. 1. This again presents an advantage in that the carrying strap 18 is always in a somewhat open condition and is readily seized by an umbrella user, as opposed to the flat loop which has to first be opened.

I claim:

1. A handle for an umbrella comprising means for receiving an umbrella stick, a handle gripping portion, cover portion connected to the handle gripping portion, a flexible carrying strap, said cover portion and said handle gripping portion defining a cavity, means in said cavity for attaching said carrying strap whereby the carrying strap attachment means is within the confines of said handle, the cover including snap lock means engaged with the gripping portion of said handle, said handle gripping portion including a pair of spaced-apart slots, said carrying strap having opposite end portions respectively extending through one of the spaced-apart slots, the handle including two diametrically spaced-apart recesses in the gripping portion of the handle defining said cavity, studs integral with said gripping portion and extending axially from said recesses, the carrying strap having end portions respectively engaging said studs, and fastener means engaging said studs and securing the strap ends thereto.

2. A handle as defined in claim 1 wherein the cover is provided with a pair of spaced-apart slots to pass the pair of carrying strap ends.

3. A handle as defined in claim 1 wherein the fastening means is a split ring adapted to fit and lock over the studs.

4. A handle as defined in claim 1 wherein the stick is received in a bore in the gripping portion of the handle and a locking pin passes laterally through the end of the stick and through the gripping portion of the handle.

5. A handle as defined in claim 1 wherein the fastening means includes the threaded surface on the pin and a cooperating screwnut.

6. A handle as defined in claim 1 wherein a pair of slots is provided in the gripping portion of the handle for passing the end of the carrying strap and aligned with a pair of slots provided in the cover.

7. A handle as defined in claim 1 wherein the handle is of a rectangular cross section and is suitable for use as a flat umbrella. 

1. A handle for an umbrella comprising means for receiving an umbrella stick, a handle gripping portion, cover portion connected to the handle gripping portion, a flexible carrying strap, said cover portion and said handle gripping portion defining a cavity, means in said cavity for attaching said carrying strap whereby the carrying strap attachment means is within the confines of said handle, the cover including snap lock means engaged with the gripping portion of said handle, said handle gripping portion including a pair of spaced-apart slots, said carrying strap having opposite end portions respectively extending through one of the spaced-apart slots, the handle including two diametrically spaced-apart recesses in the gripping portion of the handle defining said cavity, studs integral with said gripping portion and extending axially from said recesses, the carrying strap having end portions respectively engaging said studs, and fastener means engaging said studs and securing the strap ends thereto.
 2. A handle as defined in claim 1 wherein the cover is provided with a pair of spaced-apart slots to pass the pair of carrying strap ends.
 3. A handle as defined in claim 1 wherein the fastening means is a split ring adapted to fit and lock over the studs.
 4. A handle as defined in claim 1 wherein the stick is received in a bore in the gripping portion of the handle and a locking pin passes laterally through the end of the stick and through the gripping portion of the handle.
 5. A handle as defined in claim 1 wherein the fastening means includes the threaded surface on the pin and a cooperating screwnut.
 6. A handle as defined in claim 1 wherein a pair of slots is provided in the gripping portion of the handle for passing the end of the carrying strap and aligned with a pair of slots provided in the cover.
 7. A handle as defined in claim 1 wherein the handle is of a rectangular cross section and is suitable for use as a flat umbrella. 